Explore Hervey Bay and surrounds in a rental car

Hervey Bay is a jewel of a town on Queensland’s coastline, known for its whale watching, glorious golden beaches and scenic tours. It’s a place of just 50,000 inhabitants, with more people making the move to this alluring destination every year.

In terms of climate, Hervey Bay experiences the best of both worlds. The town sits at a balmy 22 degrees Celsius average in winter, and rises to roughly 30 degrees through summer. Thanks to its seaside location and northerly winds, it rarely peaks above 35 degrees, making it one of the most agreeable places to visit in Australia.

While the town itself isn’t very big, a rental car in Hervey Bay will help you make the most of your trip and see as much of this gorgeous spot as possible.

Booking with AirportRentals.com

Finding the right car hire in Hervey Bay is all about knowing which options are available to you. But instead of talking to all the rental companies at Hervey Bay Airport, the quick way is to browse Airport Rentalsfromthecomfortofyourownhome. Simply type in your travel dates to find and compare brands for your car rental.

This search function pulls up all available rentals across all companies, allowing you to quickly compare your favourite vehicles and find one for the right price. You can book straight away without any additional booking fees, and you can use the customer support function at any time should you need a hand.

Get to know Hervey Bay Airport

Hervey Bay Airport is the main transport hub for the Fraser Coast - so you might also see it called the Fraser Coast Airport from time to time. The airport opens at 6am daily and closes half an hour after the last scheduled flight (in or out) for the day.

You can pick up a coffee or a bite to eat in the terminal, jump on the free WiFi to check your flight (and your Facebook), and pay a visit to the info centre if you’re after more information about the area.

You’ll easily spot the row of car rental desks within the terminal, then you can pop outside and pick up your car and hit the road!

Driving in and around Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay is a small coastal town, and with it comes the laid-back driving style you won’t find in most cities. Prepare to find courteous drivers - and in turn be as courteous as possible to fellow drivers as well. You won’t have to worry about traffic jams or congestion, so there’s no need to stress when you’re out on the roads.

From the airport

When you drive out of the airport, you’re only 20 minutes away from the centre of Hervey Bay. You can turn left or right as you leave. Turn left, and Booral Road will take you down Boat Harbour Drive through the centre of town onto Pialba Burrum Heads Road. Turn right for a slightly shorter and faster route along Booral Road, turning onto Dundowran Road into town. Both options take roughly 20 minutes, so it’s a good idea to give yourself half an hour in case of any hold ups.

Driving on Fraser Island

While there won’t be any big surprises for travellers driving through Hervey Bay, it’s Fraser Island that many people come for, and that’s where things can get complicated. First, you must have a 4WD, permission from your car rental company, and a vehicle permit from Queensland National Parks just to get onto the island. This is because Fraser Island offers no sealed roads - only sand. Once there, the speed limit is 80km/hour on the beach and 30km/hour on inland tracks. It’s a good idea to follow routes taken by other vehicles, and alway be mindful of other cars and wildlife in the area. Plus, keep an eye out for the aircraft that sometimes use the beach as a landing or take-off strip, and get out of their way!

Hervey Bay Parking

Should you need to park your car hire in Hervey Bay, the town offers a number of timed, free and paid spots around the central area. For example, you should be able to find a stall on Bazaar Street, Charles Street, or Nissen Street. Simply keep an eye out for designated signs indicating time limits. At the airport, there are almost 200 spaces within 100 metres of the terminal, and an additional group next to the car rental area that are set aside for long-term parking. In both cases, you’ll grab a ticket as you enter and will be charged on your way out.

Hervey Bay accommodation options

Close to the beach or next to the airport, there’s a range of accommodation providers in Hervey Bay to suit every need and budget.

Annual events in Hervey Bay

Thanks to its enviable climate, prime seaside location and relaxed vibe, Hervey Bay hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year. Double check the calendar during your visit to see if you can attend some of them!

Hervey Bay’s top attractions

With a car hire in Hervey Bay, you can see all of the local attractions and many of the nearby ones, too. Be sure to leave plenty of time in your itinerary for these exciting things to do in Hervey Bay.